Game Time: 06/02/2007 07:05 PM -
By: Al McMordie | bigal.com
Germano of the Padres is being touted as the next Jake Peavy, and although Nationals’ starter Speigner has been struggling, the weak Padre bats may be just what he needs.
I never thought I would use this phrase this year, and it is going to sound a bit strange, but the Washington Nationals are hot.
All of sudden, the Nationals are playing like they means it, and not because they have had a string of games against weak teams. First, the Nats took three of four games in Cincinnati. Then, they took two of three in St. Louis. Next, although they lost the series at home to the Dodgers, they dominated them in the third and final game on Thursday, Finally, they just knocked off the Padres and their ace Jake Peavy in the first game of the current series at home.
After winning that game in 10 innings with the help of outstanding performances from Christian Guzman, Ryan Zimmerman, and Dmitri Young, they'll come back for Game 2 against a pitcher who could be the Padres' "Jake Peavy of the future", young right-hander Justin Germano. The Nationals are going to give at least one more start to their struggling young right-hander Levale Speigner, mainly because they have so many pitching injuries that they are forced to keep him in the rotation.
However this could be a good thing, as a decent start at home against a weak-hitting opponent like the Padres could be all Speigner needs to turn it around. San Diego is only batting .238 vs. right-handers, and one of their hottest hitters, catcher Josh Bard, may be forced to miss this one as he is scheduled to start serving a suspension soon for bumping an umpire.
Also, five of the last six games played between these two at RFK Stadium have totaled a combined eight runs or less, so take the Under tonight.
Game Time: 06/02/2007 03:55 PM -
By: Marc Lawrence | playbook.com
Kip Wells has been one of the biggest money-burners in baseball this season, so as bad as the Astros have been lately, they are still the play on Saturday vs. the Cardinals.
Craig Biggio of the Houston Astros is inching closer to the 3000-hit mark, and he could draw even closer as he and his mates light up Kip Wells this afternoon
The Astros are also 7-2 in Game Two of a home series despite their awful record this season, while the St. Louis Cardinals are just the opposite, going 2-7 in Game Two of away series.
With the Cardinals just 2-9 and a money-burning -$831 behind Wells this year, we'll stay home with the Astros here today.
Game Time: 06/02/2007 07:05 PM -
By: Jimmy Boyd | touthouse.com
The Giants embarrassed the Phillies 13-0 last night, but look for Philadelphia to bounce back with their ace Hamels on the mound today, especially vs. the rocky Giant bullpen.
The Phillies have been unstoppable when the 7-2 Cole Hamels has been on the hill at home this season.
Opponents are only hitting .238 against Hamels in this stadium in 2007. Now Noah Lowry has been solid as of late, but he has not been getting the job done on the road, where he is just 1-3 on the road this season.
The Giants rolled 13-0 here last night, but with a closer game expected and an uncertain bullpen situation for San Francisco with the trade of Benitez, we'll take the home Phillies today.
Game Time: 06/02/2007 07:05 PM -
By: Ben Burns | sportspic.com
There were 16 runs scored the last time these two starting pitchers met. Bet the Over tonight in Pittsburgh when Ian Snell and the Pirates host Hong-Chih Kuo and the LA Dodgers.
After yesterday's game slipped above the total, the Over is now a perfect 9-0 the last nine times that the Dodgers traveled to Pittsburgh. This could prove to be another relatively high-scoring affair.
These pitchers faced each other last September and the game finished with 16 combined runs. While Los Angeles' Hong-Chih Kuo will be making his first start of the season, Pittsburgh right-hander Ian Snell's last two home starts have sailed above the total with scores of 11-5 and 13-2. That brings the Over to 5-2-1 his last eight home starts.
It's also worth noting that the Over is a perfect 7-0 when Pittsburgh has played on a Saturday this season. Consider a play on the Over.
Game Time: 06/02/2007 10:05 PM -
By: L.T. Profit Sports Group | who2beton.com
Kameron Loe has struggled this season, but he may have had his best start of the year last time out vs. Boston, and he has had success in two starts vs. the Mariners.
We cashed a ticket with the Texas Rangers at a nice price here last night, and we are coming right back with them again.
Miguel Batista gets the start for the Seattle Mariners tonight, and we simply do not trust him as a decided favorite like this. Batista has not pitched well at home this season, going 2-3 with a bloated 6.83 ERA and 1.59 WHIP in the Emerald City. Now Kameron Loe may not have impressive numbers for Texas, but he did hold the potent Boston lineup to just three runs and seven hits in six innings in his last start, leaving with the lead only to have the bullpen blow it for him.
More importantly, Loe has pitched well in both of his career starts vs. the Mariners, allowing a total of three earned runs in 12 innings, and we feel that the price is right here again.
Game Time: 06/02/2007 08:05 PM -
By: Alex Smart | who2beton.com
Tonight's pitching matchup beckons a wager on the Rockies. Back Colorado with Jeff Francis on the hill this evening against Kyle Lohse and the Cincinnati Reds.
Jeff Francis is currently in top form going is 2-0 in his last three starts, allowing just three earned runs over those outings.
The Rockies should give him plenty of support against a Cincinnati pitcher (Kyle Lohse, 2-6, 4.59 ERA) who, despite coming off a very good performance last time out, has always been a candidate for beat-down as is evident by allowing 1177 hits in 1038 innings of MLB work. Considering tonight's pitching matchup, backing the home team looks like a viable wager.
Final Notes & Key Trends: Colorado is 12-3 this season, after suffering two straight losses. The Reds are 13-27 in their last 40 night games. Play on Rockies.
Game Time: 06/02/2007 07:05 PM -
By: L.T. Profit Sports Group | who2beton.com
In this matchup of two fine young pitchers, we will side with Noah Lowry at this big price vs. the slumping Phillies, even with Cole Hamels on the hill.
Now Cole Hamels of the Philadelphia Phillies will be a stud in this league for a long time, but this still looks like a generous price for Noah Lowry and the San Francisco Giants.
Lowry was touched up by Colorado for four runs in just four innings in his last start, but that snapped a string of five consecutive Quality Starts. We look for the southpaw to get back on track here vs. a Phillies lineup that is hitting just .234 vs. left-handers for the season including an anemic .191 in the last 10 games. The Giants embarrassed Philadelphia 13-0 here last night, handing the Phillies their fourth straight loss.
Besides, Hamels did not exactly fool the Giant batter in his only career starts vs. San Francisco, allowing five runs and eight hits in seven innings. All things considered, we will go for the value play on the Giants here.
Game Time: 06/02/2007 01:07 PM -
By: Larry Cook | touthouse.com
The White Sox and weekends go together. Play the Pale Hose this afternoon when Chicago continues their series with the Blue Jays in Toronto.
The White Sox for some reason play their best ball on the weekends. Chicago is 45-21 in their last 66 Saturday Games. That’s better than a 68% winning percentage.
Chicago faces Blue Jays right-hander Dustin McGowan who is 1-2 with a terrible 5.90 ERA on the season. Chicago ended their 5-game skid yesterday against Toronto, so they will be playing this one with confidence against an awful starting pitcher. Jose Contreras remains their ace and he will deliver today when his team needs him most. The White Sox are 8-1 in Contreras' last nine starts as a favorite of -110 to -150. The Blue Jays are 2-8 in McGowan's last 10 starts with the total set at 9.0-10.5. Bet the Sox today.
SBR Top-Rated Sportsbooks
Saturday's Front Page Picks (Jun 2)
Reply With Quote